The Liberation Pledge empowers people who care about animals to transform their personal veganism into an active stance against violence. By taking the pledge, we act as the animals would, if they could, and we challenge "speciesism" in our everyday life. If you have felt silenced and marginalized as a vegan, this is your chance to turn the tables on the mainstream culture by putting the practice of killing and eating animals on the defensive!

Why not include animal byproducts?

Activists who take the pledge are free to extend the pledge to include animal byproducts. We are asking pledge takers to refuse to sit at a place where animals’ bodies are being eaten in order to keep the focus on animals. Often, it is difficult to ascertain if people are eating strictly vegan food and we do not want to turn the conversation into an interrogation or an argument over more obscure ingredients such as mono and diglycerides in bread. However, we do not condone the consumption or promotion of any animal products and encourage people to speak out whenever and wherever animals are being exploited.

Is the pledge only for the holidays?

The Liberation Pledge is for life. The pledge does launch during the holiday season, as there are many celebrations and events that typically include eating animals, making this a particularly difficult season for animal activists, and of course animals.

What can I do if I cannot get out of a work meeting where people will be eating animals?

We should strive always to live up to the pledge while understanding that there may be some especially-difficult situations to avoid being around people eating animals' bodies, particularly at work. We are offering activists an online forum where you can ask questions, solicit advice, and get support.

How did the fork symbol come about?

By the early 1990s, AIDS was on its way to becoming the single largest killer of young people in the US, yet it remained an unacknowledged epidemic.

But one day, activists created an iconic symbol - the humble red ribbon, typically pinned prominently on lapels. This eye-catching ribbon generated curiosity, prompted discussion, and so publicly displayed people’s passion for combating AIDS that it rapidly transformed a once-taboo topic into something people were proud to support openly. As allies multiplied, the ribbon became a rallying point for a movement no one could silence.

We too can wield creative symbolism’s power to advocate for animals.

We encourage all taking the #LiberationPledge to make and wear a liberation band -- a fork bent to fit around a wrist. By transforming the fork into a symbol of nonviolence, we reclaim the everyday tool most responsible for the immense suffering animals endure. The liberation band "beats swords into plowshares" and powerfully symbolizes our commitment to justice for all beings.

I am struggling. Where can I get support?

The Liberation Pledge has a group of people willing to listen, discuss and give advice. Additionally, please see the resources section of the pledge’s website.